EXILE, ATONEMENT AND CREATIVITY:

A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THEODOR KALLIFATIDES AND ENRIQUE MARTÍNEZ CELAYA

At ABF, Sveavägen 41, Stockholm, Sweden

Tuesday, August 28th 2012, 5 pm

Free admission

Tuesday August 28th 5 pm, at ABF, Sveavägen 41, Stockholm

Meet two deep thinkers in a conversation led by Kerstin Brunnberg, president of the Swedish Arts Council (Statens Kulturråd). Hear them speak about the forces which drive their work: memories of the home countries they once had to leave, and reconciling with their pasts. Kallifatides and Martínez Celaya are united in the belief that the potency of language and philosophy are cornerstones in the creative process.

This fall, internationally renowned artist Enrique Martínez Celaya is making his Swedish debut with a major exhibition at Galleri Andersson/Sandström in Stockholm, opening September 1st. As a child, his family fled from Cuba to Spain. After living in Puerto Rico for some time, he settled in the United States, where he now lives. In painting, sculpture and text he aims to remove over-familiarity and cynicism from art and life to reveal a world that is mysterious, alive, and interconnected. Martínez Celaya is strongly inspired by Swedish author Harry Martinson, which makes his Swedish debut even more exciting.

Greek emigrant Theodor Kallifatides has become one of the most beloved authors in Sweden. Since his breakthrough 1969, he has written a wide array of novels, travel books, and poetry. Kallifatides’ new book, “Letters to My Daughter” (“Brev till min dotter”), is released this month. The book builds on the topics which most strongly influences his work: a life in exile and the constantly haunting presence of his home country.

Arranged by The Harry Martinson Society, Bonnierförlagen and Galleri Andersson/Sandström in collaboration with ABF.